Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-04

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries not enough students are choosing to study science at university. What are the causes of this? What effects does it have on society?

Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

In recent times, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of students opting out of science disciplines at the university level. This issue has become a matter of growing concern in many developed and developing nations alike, as it can significantly affect the global workforce, technological innovation, and economic growth. This essay will examine the primary reasons behind this problem and propose several feasible ways to address these consequences.

There are multiple factors that contribute to the declining enrollment in science subjects. Firstly, the perceived difficulty and rigor of STEM fields often intimidates students during their secondary education. This often results in students steering toward humanities or social sciences, which are frequently viewed as less mathematically demanding. Secondly, a lack of engaging, practical teaching methods in schools fails to spark early curiosity, which exacerbates the situation further. Thirdly, the high cost of tuition and long duration of specialized science degrees act as a significant financial barrier. Consequently, students often prioritize shorter, less expensive degrees that offer a faster route to employment. In summary, these factors collectively hinder young academics from pursuing fulfilling and vital careers in scientific fields.

The most immediate impact will be a slowdown in technological and medical breakthroughs. Without a steady stream of new scientists, our ability to cure diseases, develop clean energy, and build next-generation technology will stall. On an economic level, countries will face severe skill shortages. Industries like engineering, pharmaceuticals, and computing will be forced to outsource jobs to other nations, damaging the local economy. Lastly, a lack of science graduates creates a dangerous cycle. Fewer graduates mean fewer qualified science teachers for the next generation, ensuring that future school children receive an even weaker foundation in the subject.

In conclusion, the declining interest in science is a major hurdle for modern society. It is driven by fear of difficulty, uninspiring classrooms, and high educational costs. If we do not make science education more accessible and engaging, society will inevitably suffer from a shortage of innovation, a weaker economy, and a less knowledgeable workforce.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes (difficulty, teaching methods, costs) and the effects (innovation slowdown, skill shortages, teacher shortages). The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with logical explanations. Each paragraph is focused, and the response maintains a consistent academic tone. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points without introducing new information. To reach a band 9, the response could benefit from slightly more specific, real-world examples to ground the arguments, such as mentioning a specific country or a particular industry currently facing these shortages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and effects is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Consequently', and 'In summary' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow of the argument is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout. The essay demonstrates a high level of control over the structure, making it easy to follow the writer's line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and well-suited to the academic context. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'STEM fields', 'specialized science degrees', 'technological innovation', and 'outsource'. The collocations are generally natural, and there is an attempt to use less common vocabulary effectively. While the range is sufficient and accurate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated idiomatic expressions or nuanced academic phrasing to reach the highest band. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a strong command of grammatical structures. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures in the conclusion ('If we do not make... society will inevitably suffer...') and relative clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is sophisticated and flows well, indicating a high level of grammatical proficiency that allows for clear and precise communication of complex ideas.

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